Lead-keg-closing device



July 5, 1927. 1,634,488

W. F. BUTLER LEAD KEG CLOSING DEVICE Filed May 28 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR 71/? a M MTTORN EY 1927' w. F. BUTLER LEAD KEG CLOSING DEVICE Filed May 2 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NTOR Ww ATTORNEYS Patented July 5.19am

UITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

WILLIAM F. BUTLER, F HILLSIDE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN COH- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LEAD- KEG-CLOSING DEVICE.

Application filed May 28, 1925. Serial No. 33,583.

This invention relates to a device for closing containers, such as lead kegs, which are relatively large and adapted for heavy contents, such as white lead or the like. Containers of this character are ordinarily provided with a curled or false wire edge, pro jecting outwardly at the top thereof, and are adapted to be closed by a cover having an edge, or edge parts, adapted to embrace and grip the false wire edge of the container body. In a preferred type of cover, the flange thereof is provided with a plurality of integral lips, or lugs, which are adapted to be bent under said false wire edge of the coni tainer by suitable mechanism, and the purpose of my invention is to provide an eflicient apparatus for bending these lugs to closing 1 position, though it will be evident that the apparatus is also adapted, with slight and 2 obvious modifications, for closing covers of other flange formation.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a device for this purpose, capable of manipulation by hand and adapted for rapid and eflicient work with consequent reduction in cost and improved results in the closing operation.

A further object is the provision of a device of the character described, which .is

adapted to be positioned for use without requiring particular care or exact fitting by the operator, provision being made for properlv'locating the operating parts automaticallv when the device is placed on the 5 top of the keg which is to be closed.

A further and particular advantage of my invention is that the device provided thereby isportable and is adapted to be readily carried and positioned by hand. being, how- 4 ever, at the same time suiiiciently strong to perform its function without breakage and without damage to the parts.

Numerous other ob'e'cts and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it'is better understood from the following description,

which, taken in connection with the accompanving drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closing device in which my invention is'embodied, .the same being shown in position upon a vessel tobe closed and prior to the closing operatlon;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the tool after it: hasnbeen operated; and

Figs. 3 and 4-are partial sectional views of the upper part of the container and the closing tool, showing one of the bending elements prior to and after the bending operation. 7

On said drawings I have shown, for illus-' trative purposes only, a. preferred form of the invention, in which the reference character 11 indicates a chuck provided with a stem 12 arising from the center thereof and having mounted thereon a vertically slidable collar 13. Said stem 12 has a handle at the top thereof, whereby the device may be moved from place to place and positioned upon a container for use. Said collar is formed with laterally projecting wings 14 and with flanges 15 and 16 providing therebetween an annular channel, for a purpose which will presently appear. Closing jaws 17 are pivoted at 18 to lugs 19 provided in pairs around the periphery of the chuck 11 and extending upwardly at an angle therefrom, said jaws having lever extensions 21 beyond said pivots and inward towards the center of the chuck and having enlargements. or ball ends 22 disposed in the channel between the flanges 15 and 16.

Operating levers 24 are pivoted at 25 to the wings 14 and at 26 to links 27 pivoted at their opposite ends at 28 to lugs 29 proiecting upwardly from the chuck 11. The links 27 may or do constitute toggles, and by'straightening these toggles, by suitable hand devices, a very powerful pressure can be applied to raise the collar and the lever extensions 21. 1

Said chuck is provided with a depending annular flange 31, which is beveled on its outer side. as indicated. at 32, and is adapted to be positioned within the vertical wall 33 of a cover 34 when the latter is positioned upon a container body 35. which, as heretofore stated, may be a lead keg, or other heavy duty container. It will be obvious that when said chuck is positioned upon said cover. the inclined flange thereof will automatically center and arrange the closing elements in proper relation to the parts upon which it is to operate. The upper edge of said container is rolled outwardly to provide a false wire edge 36 and lugs 37 are formed on the cover and adapted to be bent ed to bend said lugs from the vertical position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown. in Fig. 4, in which they conform to the con- .tour of the false wire edge 36. Thisaction' occurs when the levers 24 are moved down wardly in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, thereby raising the collar. 13 on the stem 12, the links 27 at this time turning about the pivots 28 to substantially vertical position. Set screws 38 are adjustably secured by means of lock nuts 39 in extensions 41 of said levers or handles24 and serve to limit the downward movement of said handles and thereby the inward movement of the closing jaws 17.

For the purpose of assisting in arranging the tool in proper position circumferentially of the cover so that the jaws 17 will be inposition, when moved inwardly, to engage the cover lugs 37, l provide a stop member 42 pivotally mounted upon one of the pivots 18 and normally held in contact with the 1 rear edge of the associated jaw 17 by means of a spring 43 wound around said pivot and having one end fast therewith, as indicated at 44, the other end engaging the rear edge of said stop member, which latter is formed with a laterally extending lug 45 adapted to engage said jaw 17. When said tool is moved twisted around upon thecover, an inwardly extending lug 46 on said member 42 will be'brought into contact with one of the coverlugs 37. the jaws 17 then being in proper position for acting upon said cover lugs and the chuck having already been ac curately centered by reason of the beveled portion 32 of the flange 31. During the closing action, the stop 7 member 42 strikes against the false wire edge 36 of the container and, by reason of the spring connec- .tion with thepivot 18, is permitted to remain,

in this position while the jaws 17 move further inwardly to wrap the lugs 37 about said false wire edge 86. i

50 is a handle on the stem whereby the device may be-conveniently moved and applied to the kegs, and turned until the lug 46 engages the side of a cover lug.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be under-' stood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all ofits material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being mere .ly a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A closing device for'lead kegs, or like containers,,compri'sing a chuck arrangeable .upon the cover of the container, closing jaws mamas upon the cover of the container, closing jaws pivoted to said chuck and having inward lever extensions beyond the pivot points, a stem arising from said chuck, a collar slidably mounted on'said stem and slidably engaging, said extensions, and opcrating levers pivotally connected with said collar and said chuck and adapted upon manipulation to slide the collar on said stem to move said jaws in and out to bend a closing element on the cover about a. retaining element on the container. 2. A closingt device for lead kegs, or like containers, comprising a chuck arrangeable upon-the cover of the container, closing aws pivoted to said chuck and having lever extensions beyond the pivot points, a stem arising from said chuck, a collar slidably mounted on said stem, collar operating levers pivotally connected with said collar and said chuck and adapted upon manipulation to slide the collar-on said stem to move said jaws in and out to bend a closing element on the cover about a retaining element onv the container, and means for limiting the closing movement of said operating levers. if 3. A closing device for lead' kegs, or like containers,'compr ising.a chuck arrangeable pivoted to said chuck andzhaving lever ex tensions beyond the pivot, points, a stem arising from said chuck, a collar slidably mounted on said stem, operating levers pivotally associated'with said collar and said chuck and adapted upon manipulationfto slide the 'collaron said stem to move said jaws in and out to bend a plurality of closing ele= ments on .the cover about a retaining element on the container, and means engageable with one of said closing element-s upon circum ferentialmovement of the device upon the container to assist in properly locating it withrespect to said closing elements.

'4. A closing devicefor lead kegs, or like containers, comprising a chuckarrangeable upon the cover of -the container, closing jaws pivoted to said chuck and having lever extensions beyond the pivot points, a stem arising'from said chuck, a collar slidabl mounted on said stein and engaging sald extensions, collar operating leverspivotally conmeeting said collar. and said chuck and adaptv edupon-manipulation. to slide the collar on said stem" to move said jaws in and out to bend a closing element on the cover about a retainingelemen'ton the container, and a handle on said stem for carrying the device about.

5. A .closingdevice for lead kegs, or like containers, comprising a chuck arrangeable upon the cover of the container, clo'slng jaws pivoted to said chuck andihaving lever extensions beyond] the pivot points, a stem arising from said chuck, a .collar slidably mounted on said stem and engaging said extensions, and operating levers pivotally associated with said collar and said chuck and adapted upon manipulation to slide the collar on said stem to move said jaws in and out to bend a closing element on the cover about a retaining element on the container, said chuck being beveled at the edge thereof and being thus self-centering when placed upon a lead keg cover.

6. A closing device for lead kegs, or like containers, comprising a member arrangeable upon the cover to be closed on the container, a stem arising therefrom, a collar vertically slidable upon saidstem, means connecting said member and collar for raising and lowering said collar, and a closing element piv otally associated with said member and actuated by vertical movement of said collar for bending a closing part on said cover about a retaining part on the container to secure the cover in place.

7. A closing device for lead kegs, or like containers, comprising a member arrangeable upon the cover to be closed on the container, a stem arising therefrom, a collar vertically slidable upon said stem, toggles for raising and lowering said collar, and a plurality of closing elements pivotally associated with said member and actuated by vertical movement of said collar for wrapping a plurality of lugs on said cover about a retaining element on the container to secure said cover in place.

8. A closing device for lead kegs and the like, having in combination a chuck, lugbending levers pivoted on said chuck, a collar slidable towards and from the chuck and engaging under saidlevers, and means for forcing the chuck and collar away from each other, whereby to bend parts of the cover into secure engagement with the keg.

9. A closing device for lead kegs and the like, having in combination a chuck, lugbending levers pivoted on said chuck, a col lar slidable towards and from the chuck and engaging under saidlevers, toggle links connecting said collar and chuck, and devices for straightening said toggles.

WILLIAM F. BUTLER. 

